Bathing pools



June 7, 1960 c. R. ARNOLD ETAL 2,939,153

BATHING POOLS Filed May 1, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 [Fl/(7' 4 INVENTORChan/es I? Arno/a /i/an J. Hirsch Franc/'5 VL P/aurae QQW ATTORNEY June7, 1960 c. R. ARNOLD ETAL 2,939,153

' BATHING POOLS Filed May 1, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Char/es A.Arno/a Alan J. Hirsch Francis W P/ourae 0% m ATTORNEY United StatesvPatent BATmG POOLS Charles R. Arnold and Alan J. Hirsch, New Richmond,and Francis W. Plourde, Somerset, Wis., assignors to DoughhoyIndustries, Inc., New Richmond, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin FiledMay 1, 1957, Ser. No. 656,360

6 Claims. (Cl. 4-172) This invention relates to an improvement inbathing pools and deals particularly with a portable pool and dealsparticularly with a swimming pool which may be assembled on the surfaceof the ground and which may be dissassembled when desired for storage ortransportation.

During recent years the use of portable swimming pools has beenincreasingly popular. Many such pools are formed with hollow side wallswhich may be filled with air to hold the side walls in an erect positionand filled with water. The present device comprises a portable poolwhich is of substantially greater size than most pools having inflatedsides and which provides'a considerably larger and deeper poolparticularly useful for larger children and adults.

An object of the present invention resides in the provision of aswimming pool including a water proof liner of flexible material such asnylon impregnated with a vinyl plastic to increase the water proofproperties of the material. The liner includes a bottom panel preferablyof circular shape and a continuous side wall sealed to the bottom paneland extendable into upright position encircling the bottom panel. Theside wall of the pool is supported by a suitable supporting frameworkwhich encircles the side wall and to which the side wall is attached.The framework is such as to enable the pool to be assembled ordisassembled in a relatively short period of time and the framework isso constructed as to be readily stored when the pool is not in use.

A feature of the present invention resides in the provision of aframework which is made of similar tubular sections which may beassembled together to form a ring like reinforcing wall. The frameusually includes spaced upright members having laterally enlarged upperand lower extremities. The upper end of each upright frame member isdesigned to accommodate the downturned ends of a pair of top railforming members which fit side by side into the upper end of the uprightand to connect the upright to the next adjacent upright. The frame alsoincludes bottom frame members having upturned ends and the upturned endsof two adjoining bottom frame members are designed to extend into thelower end of each upright in side by side relation. Each top and bottomforming frame member acts to connect one spaced upright with the nextand these frame members are arcuate so that when assembled a circularframe is produced.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the provision of apool liner having an upper edge which is reinforced throughout itsperiphery to strengthen the connection between the liner and the frame.The upper edge of the liner is doubled back upon itself and sealed alongtwo spaced lines of connection. Cooperable snap portions are applied tothe double thickness portion of the pool, one cooperable snap portionbeing positioned closely adjacent to the upper extremity of the linerthe other cooperable snap portion being spaced downwardly therefrom.When the upper portion of the side wall of the liner is folded over thesupporting frame, the two cooperable snap portions of each snap may beconnected together to form a firm support for the side wall of the pool.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the fact that theupper portion of the side wall of the liner is folded in such a manneras to provide maximum protection for the material forming the liner. Theportion of the coated nylon which is folded over the tubular support isexposed to the action of the suns rays to a greater extent than theenclosed outer wall surface of the liner or the submerged inner wallsurface. In the present construction, the upper marginal edge of theside wall is folded back upon itself and secured in doubled; position.Thus, one layer of fabric is folded inwardly of the other when exposedto the sun and the inner layer is prevented from the deleterious effectof the sunshine.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the provision of aportable pool which is formed of a; series of generally rectangularframes which are connected in end to end relation to form a circularreinforc ing frame and to provide inwardly of this supporting frame aprotective wall of light sheet material such as aluminum sheeting,plastic sheet material or other suitable material may be used. Ihelength of this wall is preferably slightly greater than thecircumference of the pool so that the ends can be overlapped and securedtogether to form a continuous reinforcing wall inwardly of thereinforcing frame and against which the fabric liner may engage. Whilesuch a protective wall is desirable, it may be omitted if the supportprovided is not required.

These and other objects and novel features of the pres? ent inventionwill be more clearly and fully set forth in; the following specificationand claims.

In the dram'ngs forming a part of the specification: Figure l is aperspective View of a pool in its assembled form. I

Figure 2 is a sectional view through one of the upright supports showingthe manner in which the top and bottom frame forming members are engagedtherein.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing a section through theintermediate portions of the supporting frame.

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view through the side wall and showingthe juncture between the side wall and the bottom panel.

Figure 5 is an elevational view of the end connectionbetween the ends ofthe reinforcing side wall.

Figure 6 is a sectional view, the position of the section beingindicated by the lines 6-6 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a sectional view through the reinforcing wall, the positionof the section being indicated by the line 77 of Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a sectional view through the joint connecting the ends ofthe reinforcing wall, the position of the section being indicated by theline 8-8 of Figure 5.v

Figure 9 is an enlarged detail view through one of the uprights shovw'ngthe manner in which the top frame connecting members are attachedthereto.

Figure 10 is a sectional view, the position of the section beingindicated by the line 10-10 of Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a perspective view showing a modified form of frameconnecting member.

The portable pool is best illustrated in Figure l of the drawings. Thisfigure illustrates a series of generally rectangular frame sectionswhich are indicated in general by the numeral 10 having a light metalreinforcing wall 11 enclosed therein. A lining which is indicated in genera] by the numeral 12 is enclosed within the side wall 11 and 112116upper edge of the lining 12 folds over the supporting frame and isanchored thereto.

Each of the frame sections 10 includes a top fram member 13, a bottomframe member 14, and a pair of spacedinpright frame members 15. The topframe members and bottom :frame member may be similarlyiformedbut'inverted in position. The top frame member 13 in.- chides an arcuatetubular body portion 16 which is bent to the radius of curvature of thecompleted pool. The ends of the body portionifi are bent downwardly asindicated at 17 and 19 to form short vertically extending end portions,7

The bottom frame members 14 include a central body portion 20 which isarc-uate so as to fit the curvature of the circumference of the pool.Each body portion 20 includes 'a pair of upwardly bent ends 21 and 22which are aligned with the downturned ends 17 and 19, of the top framemembers 13.

The upright frame members 15 preferably include hollow cylindricalcentral portions 23, the upper and lower ends of which are offset asindicated at 24 to provide an elongated or generally oval shapedextremity. The flat tened upper extremity of each upright member 15 isindicated at 25 while the lower flattened portion is indicated at 26although both ends may be identical in form. As

i is indicated in Figure 10 of the drawings, the flattened or ovalshaped ends provide an enclosure which is approximately equal indiameter to the diameter of the tubular ends 17 and 19 of the top framemembers 16 or the tubular upwardly extending ends21 and 22 of the bottomframe members 14. The length of the elongated portion issufiicient tosnugly accommodate the ends of two adjoiningframe members as indicatedin Figures 9 and 10,

the elongated socket 25 at thetop of each upright accomiuodating thedownturned end 17 of one top frame membin and the downturned end 19 ofthe next adjacent top frame member. The bottom socket 26similarlyencloses the upturned ends 21 and '22 of adjoining bottom framemembers 14..

The'metal reinforcing wall is constructed as is best illustrated inFigures through 8 of the drawings. In general, the wall 11 comprises anelongated strip of sheet metal which islongitudinally bent as indicatedat 27 to form a downturned flange 29 and a downturned flange 29 is bentat 30 to form an upturned flange 31 which is sandwiched between the bodyof the sheet and the flange 29. This arrangement forms a thickenedportion along the upper edge of the sheet which acts as a reinforcementfor the sheet.

A similar reinforcing structure is provided along the lower edge of thereinforcing wall 11. The sheet is longitudinally bent as indicated at 32to provide an upwardly turned flange 33. This flange is bent at 34 toprovide a flange 35 which is sandwiched between the flange 33 and thebody of the wall 11. Thus, both the upper and lower edges of thereinforcing wall are in themselves reinforced throughout the peripheryof the sheet. a

Figures 7 and 8 show the structure of the seam by means of which theends of the sheet are connected. As is indicated in Figure 8 of thedrawings, one end 36 of the wall 11 is'bent at 37 to provide arearwardly folded flange 39. The other end of the sheet 46 is folded asindicated at 41 to provide a reversely turned flange 42 which issandwiched between the flange 39 and the end 36 of the sheet. Thus, ineffect the two ends of the sheet are crimped together. Reinforcingstrips 43 and 44 are provided extending vertically over the seam andfastening means such as rivets 45 extend through the rein? forcingstrips 43 and 44 and through the inter-connected sheet ends to form afirm connection between the ends of the sheet. 7

The liner 12 is formed as is best indicated in Figure 4 of the drawings.A bottom panel'46 is provided which is preferably circular in shape andthis disc 46 is marginsealed as indicated at 47 to an inturned flange 49forming a part of the loweredge of theside wall 50.

The material of which the-liner is formed may be more adversely affectedby the drying action of the sun and wind than the other surface thereof.The impregnated surface of the fabric is usually placed uppermost on thebottom disc 46 and on the inner surface of the wall 50. As the innersurface of the wall is usually in contact with water and is kept moist,the material is not affected to any great degree by theelements.

The upper edge of the wall 50 is peripherally folded as indicated at 51so that the upper portion of the fabric is doubled. The two layers ofmaterial are sealed together as indicated at 52 at a point slightlyspaced from the folded edge 51 so that this edge 51 preferably remainsuncreased and rounded in form. The sheet is folded in such a manner thatthe more sensitive inner surface of the wall is folded inwardly and thesurface which is more resistant to the elements is on the outer side.The marginal edge 53 of the folded portion of the sheet is sealed to thebody of the sheet at the edge as indicated at 54.

One portion of a snap fastener 55 extends through the sealed area 52 ofthe sheet near the folded edge 51.

Cooperable portions 56 of the snap fastener extend through the sealedarea 54 near the edge 53 of the sheet. The two layers of sheet materialare preferably unsecured between the sealed areas.

In forming the tank, the outer frame may be formed by assembling thevarious sections 10 in sequence until the complete frame is produced.Two of the frame bottom members 14 are placed in end to end relation andthe upwardly directed ends 21 and 22 which are in abutting relation areinserted into the lower end of the vertical frame member 15. A nextlower frame member 14 may "then be attached at the opposite end of oneof the sections by a second vertical frame member 15. The top framemember '13 may then be applied between the until the entire outer frameis formed.

a The wall 11 is next inserted into the outer frame. In doing this, itis only necessary to insert this wall in place as it is already of theproper length to fit snugly within the outer frame.

The liner 12 is next inserted and the upper portion of the side wall iswrapped over the top frame members 13 as indicated in Figure 4 of thedrawings, and the two cooperable portions 55 and 56 of the snap fastenerare then engaged. The snap fasteners are located at intervals of perhapssix inches apart so that the wall is secured to the frame about theentire circumference thereof.

a The liner may then be filled with water, the liner expanding againstthe reinforcing wall 11 which in turn is held in shape by the outerframe A pool may be formed which is sufficient size to accommodateseveral persons. For example, pools are constructed which areapproximately 72 feet in circumference and 42 inches in height. Thus,the pool may actually be used for swimming and may accommodate adults aswell as children.

Figure 9 of the drawings shows the top frame members constructed witharcuate bends connecting the central portions of these members to thevertical portions. Where a more continuous'top rail is desired, the topand bottom frame members can be formed as shown in Figure 11. Thisfigure discloses a top or bottom frame member 57 shaped similarly to theframe members 13 or 14 previously described and having right angularlyextending ends 59. To make a sharper bend, the tube is kinked inwardlyas shown at 60.

In accordance with the patent statutes, we have described the principlesof construction and operation of our improvement in bathing pools, andWhile we have endeavored to set forth the best embodiments thereof,

within the scope of the following claims without departing from thespirit of our invention.

We claim:

1. A swimming pool comprising a series of generally rectangular tubularsections connected to form a frame substantially circular in plan, aliner comprising a disk shaped bottom and a substantially cylindricalside wall of heat scalable fabric sealed marginally to said bottom, saidfabric having one surface more susceptible to deterioration by action ofthe sun than is the other surface, said one surface comprising the uppersurface of the bottom and the inner surface of the side wall, said sidewall folding over the upper edge of said tubular sections with the moresusceptible surface uppermost, the marginal edge of said side wall beingfolded back upon itself and extending back over the upper edge of saidtubular section with the more susceptible surface lowermost, saidmarginal edge forming a hem terminating inwardly of the inner surface ofsaid side wall, and means connecting the portion of said hem adjoiningthe fold to the portion of the hem lying inwardly of said side wallbeneath the upper edge of the tubular frame.

2. The structure of claim 1 and in which the edge of the hem terminatedwithin the side wall is heat sealed to the side wall.

3. A swimming pool comprising a series of generally rectangular tubularsections connected to form a frame substantially circular in plan, aliner comprising a disc shaped bottom and a substantially cylindricalside wall of heat scalable fabric sealed marginally to said bottom, saidfabric having one surface more susceptible to deterioration by action ofthe sun than is the other surface, said one surface comprising the uppersurface of the bottom and the inner surface of the side wall, a hem atthe upper edge of said side wall formed by doubling back the fabricalong a line of fold spaced from the marginal edge of the fabric withthe more susceptible fabric surfaces in surface contact, the marginaledge of the fabric being heat sealed to the side wall, said hemextending over the upper edge of said tubular sections with the lesssusceptible surface of the fabric uppermost, and

4 means connecting the portion of the frame adjacent the line of fold tothe marginal edge of the fabric through said side wall.

4. The structure of claim 3 and in which said hem is heat sealedtogether adjoining the line of fold and in which said connecting meansextends through said heat sealed portions of said hem.

5. The structure of claim 3 in which said fabric comprises nylon fabricimpregnated with vinyl plastic.

6. A swimming pool comprising an outer frame substantially circular inplan and having a substantially ring shaped top frame portion, a linercomprising a disc shaped bottom and a cylindrical side wall of heatscalable fabric marginally sealed to said bottom, said fabric having onesurface more susceptible to deterioration by action of the sun than isthe other surface, said one surface comprising the upper surface of thebottom and the inner surface of the side wall, said side wall foldingover the upper edge of said top frame member with the more susceptiblesurface uppermost, the marginal edge of said side wall being folded backupon itself and extending back over the upper edge of said top framemember with the more susceptible surface lowermost, said marginal edgeforming a hem terminating inwardly of the inner surface of said sidewall, and means connecting the portion of the hem adjoining the fold tothe portion of the hem lying inwardly of the side wall beneath the upperedge of said top frame member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,786,613 Hooper Dec. 30, 1930 2,021,074 Maynes Nov. 12, 1935 2,378,159Royer June 12, 1945 2,544,075 Ernst et a1. Mar. 6, 1951 2,815,512 Meekinet a1. Dec. 10, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 935,393 Germany Nov. 15, 1955965,289 France Feb. 15, 1950

